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Allergies

Allergy shots are formally known as subcutaneous immunotherapy, which is a type of treatment for allergies. It is used to treat patients with allergy symptoms related to exposures from the environment such as pet dander, dust mites, pollens, grasses, and molds. It is the closest that we have to a “cure” for allergies. These shots work by building a tolerance to the allergens rather than treating the symptoms like you would with over the counter medications.

How can they help me?

Patients who respond to allergy shots have a significant reduction in allergy... Read More

As most allergy sufferers will tell you, allergy symptoms can always be bothersome, turning any time of year into sneezing season. A runny nose, itchy eyes and scratchy throat can arise as the days get shorter and the leaves begin to change.

The fall can be especially difficult for people who are sensitive to mold and ragweed pollen (more prevalent in Eastern Washington). But these seasonal elements aren’t the only triggers that can make symptoms worse this time of year. There are also a few lesser known triggers. Here are four things you might not know about fall allergies,... Read More

Reduce your exposure to allergies
Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after it rains, which helps clear pollen from the air.
Lawn mowing, weed pulling, and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
Remove clothes you’ve worn outside and shower to rinse off pollen from your skin and hair.
Don’t hang dry laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
If you do chores outside, wear a pollen mask.
When pollen counts are high
Check the news! Local TV or radio station, your local newspaper, or specific websites for... Read More

A chronic cough is one of the most common reasons that someone might make an appointment to see me. A cough that is considered chronic, is defined as a cough that persists for more than eight weeks. If you are experiencing a chronic cough, you shouldn’t ignore it or band-aid it with cough drops. In many cases, the cause of a cough can be serious and dealing with it can cause anxiety, depression and social isolation which can definitely impact your quality of life.